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WTO Annual Agriculture Symposium: “Trade and Nutrition, Exploring the Nexus”

9 December 2024, Video Message by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General for the WTO Annual Agriculture Symposium:
“Trade and Nutrition, Exploring the Nexus”

Language English

Duration 3m44s

Edit Version Full Mix

Video Type Video Message

Date 12/09/2024 2:58 PM

File size 271.36 MB

Unique ID UF18SY6

Production details and shotlist

Script Dear WTO Director-General,
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I am pleased to address you at this important meeting on the critical nexus between trade and nutrition.
2. Trade is a fundamental pillar of global agrifood systems. It moves food from surplus to deficit regions and countries, and contributes to global food security and nutrition.
3. It also creates jobs and generates income for farmers.
4. Since the beginning of this century, agrifood trade has expanded significantly.
5. In 2021, nearly 5 000 trillion kilocalories were traded, more than double the level in 2000.
6. Across the world, food markets have become more integrated, but many view this as a challenge to healthy nutrition.
7. Eating fresh local foods is healthier and may be more environmentally friendly, but not all countries have the natural resources and agro-ecological conditions to produce sufficient quantities of diverse foods, at all times of the year.
8. Higher food diversity supports diets that have sufficient nutrients required for human health.
9. The 2024 edition of The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) report shows that, on average, trade can double the diversity of foods.
10. Similar lessons can be drawn from history. The Silk Road was the most important trade route in the ancient world.
11. Research shows that many nutritious foods we consume today all over the world were exchanged and distributed through the Silk Road.
12. For example, peaches and apricots originated from eastern China, and were then brought to the Mediterranean.
13. Trade also brought maize, potatoes and tomatoes from the Americas to the rest of the world.
14. Since the establishment of the World Trade Organization in 1995, the WTO multilateral trade rules have shaped a freer, fairer, and more transparent and predictable trade environment.
15. Food trade helps to redistribute nutrients across the world and narrow nutrient gaps.
16. Trade can make food prices more affordable for consumers.
17. Indeed, our work in FAO shows that the impacts of trade on nutritional outcomes can be varied.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
18. It is critical that we focus on ensuring that trade contributes to better nutrition and a better environment for all countries.
19. Policy coherence and collaboration between the trade and agrifood system is essential.
20. Strengthening capacity and increasing transparency and collaboration in negotiating trade agreements can help to meet common food security, nutrition and socio-economic objectives.
21. FAO is committed to continue working together with all partners in support of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs,
22. In line with our Strategic Framework underpinned by the Four Betters - Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – leaving no one behind.
23. I wish you a very productive meeting.
24. Thank you.

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